US welcomes 32 new citizens in Trenton at Clarkson S. Fisher Federal Building

Sen. Cory Booker: NJ is unified in its ‘commitment’ to the country

TRENTON — As many as 32 people hailing from as far as Pakistan took an oath of allegiance at a naturalization ceremony on Monday at the Clarkson S. Fisher Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, where Sen. Cory Booker gave the keynote address.

“But we are unified in our commitment to [this] country. We are unified in our commitment that in a world still so dark, we might bring forth love and light,” said the New Jersey senator.

For some, U.S. citizenship meant joining their family, many of whom were already in New Jersey.

“I’m so happy, I couldn't sleep last night,” said new U.S. citizen from Haiti Marie Pierre. “All of my family is here and have their citizenship. I'm the only one.”

While many were celebrating their accomplishments, they admitted their prayers were with the Dreamers — or participants of the immigration policy Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

“You hear all the news about the Dreamers, and sometimes I just sit. And the tears roll down my cheek because I know what I went through when I came to this country,” said a U.S. citizen from Liberia.